‘Story Belongs In Netflix Series’: Indo-Can Men Arrested In Canada’s Biggest Ever Gold-Cash Heist

‘Story Belongs In Netflix Series’: Indo-Can Men Arrested In Canada’s Biggest Ever Gold-Cash Heist
Toronto: Canadian authorities have apprehended nine individuals, including individuals of Indian origin, in connection with the theft of a multi-million dollar gold shipment from Toronto Pearson International Airport originating from Zurich, Switzerland. The heist, which occurred on April 17, 2023, involved the theft of a cargo container containing 6,600 bars of pure gold, weighing 400 kilograms and valued at over $20 million, along with CAD 2.5 million in foreign currency. Notably, the group behind the heist included two Air Canada employees, adding a surprising twist to the criminal operation.

Peel Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah described the incident as sensational, suggesting that the elaborate nature of the theft could rival a plot from a Netflix series.
Among those arrested are individuals of Indian origin, including Parmpal Sidhu, Amit Jalota, Ammad Chaudhary, Ali Raza, Prasath Paramalingam, Simran Preet Panesar, Archit Grover, and Arsalan Chaudhary.

Parmpal Sidhu, a 54-year-old Brampton resident, and Air Canada employee, faces charges of theft over $5000 and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence. Amit Jalota, Simran Preet Panesar, a former Air Canada employee from Brampton, Archit Grover, and Arsalan Chaudhary from Brampton and Oakville also face similar charges.

On April 17, 2023, a cargo container arrived at Pearson International Airport from Zurich, Switzerland, aboard an Air Canada flight. Inside were 6,600 bars of .9999% pure gold, weighing 400 kilograms, along with 2.5 million Canadian dollars’ worth in foreign currency. Shortly after landing, it was offloaded and transported to a separate location on airport property before reaching its final destinations.

The consignment went missing. It was robbed from the secure Air Canada cargo facility within the Toronto Pearson International Airport. The theft was reported to the Canadian Police on April 18, 2023, following the cargo’s arrival in Zurich, Switzerland.

Surveillance footage captured the moment when the truck, driven by one of the accused, pulled up to the warehouse and loaded the container filled with gold bars and banknotes.

Subsequently, Canadian Police initiated an investigation, collaborating with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in the United States.

After months of relentless investigation, law enforcement agencies made significant breakthroughs. Arrests were made, warrants were issued, and a web of connections began to unravel.

The arrest of Durante King-Mclean, a 25-year-old man from Brampton, in the US exposed a parallel criminal network, revealing ties between the gold thieves and a scheme to smuggle firearms into Canada.

Police seized evidence suggesting that the stolen gold had been melted down and transformed into other forms, such as jewellery, in an attempt to conceal its origins.

Comments

comments